Maternity nursing garments

ABSTRACT

This invention is a combination garment, such as a tank top, halter top, a blouse, a dress, a swimsuit top, etc., for women after pregnancy that enables the wearer to conveniently and comfortably nurse her baby by unsecuring a flap on either cup and resecuring upon completion of nursing, without the necessity of dealing with various articles of clothing and putting them on and taking them off. The garment can also be worn during pregnancy for support.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] NOT APPLICABLE

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEACH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] NOT APPLICABLE

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

[0003] NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Nursing a baby has been difficult and awkward for women while wearing clothing because it requires changing into a dress, shirt, or blouse that can be used for that purpose, while wearing a special nursing bra.

[0005] 1. Field of the Invention

[0006] Women's Clothing

[0007]2. Description of the Related Art

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,692 is a bra which is attached to a covering garment such as a slip, nightgown, etc.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,763 is a nursing slip and combination maternity and nursing slip that offers no breast support.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,404 is a nursing slip and bra which in many cases requires an outer garment to go over it, or it cannot be comfortably worn while sleeping or nursing in bed.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,296 is a nursing bra without being part of any other garment.

[0012] This invention is an improvement over the previous inventions, in particular U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,692, which requires a bra to be worn which is separate from a covering garment such as a slip, nightgown, etc. This invention does not require a separate bra which may be uncomfortable and inconvenient for a nursing woman to wear, but instead is a soft, comfortable, single garment that is more convenient, especially since it allows a woman to change garments during the day and still retain the capability of nursing her baby.

[0013] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,692 is constructed using a regular bra as a foundation, which means the wearer would have to preselect an exact size, this invention can enable the garment to be worn by a woman without reference to exact cup size, but according to the small, medium, or large size version of the garment.

[0014] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,692 uses buckles to attach the straps to hooks, this invention uses VELCRO strips or a hook and loop fastener.

[0015] Whereas the diamond shaped member or flap in U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,692 is substantially inelastic, this invention can use the same fabric as the rest of the garment.

[0016] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,692 uses buckles to adjust the straps of the bra, this invention does not require buckles since the strap of the garment can be made of soft elastic fabric, or the same fabric as the rest of the garment, reinforced by elastic bands sewn into the edges of the straps.

[0017] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,692 uses inelastic material for the web of the bra, this invention uses the same soft elastic bands sewn into the web of the garment, just under the bust.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,763 is a nursing slip which must be worn with an outer garment such as a dress. This invention is built into the outer garment and so does not require a nursing slip to be worn underneath.

[0019] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,763 requires a slide fastener, a mechanical device which also requires special seams and flaps to protect the wearer, this invention relies on VELCRO or a hook and loop fastener which is more comfortable for the wearer.

[0020] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,763 requires the wearer to purchase a slip in her exact size, this invention can enable the garment to be worn by a woman without reference to exact cup size, but according to the small, medium, or large size version of the garment, thereby making only three sizes available to almost all women.

[0021] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,763 requires cups to be built in for support of the bust, this invention supports the bust through the cut, form, and stitching of the fabric, making the support more flexible and softer, and thus more comfortable to wear.

[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,404 is a garment used in connection with a nursing bra for women who wish to nurse in public. This invention can be part of a variety of garments which can be worn around the house or in public.

[0023] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,404 requires a nursing bra to be worn, this invention requires no separate bra.

[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,296 is a nursing bra, whereas this invention is an outer garment with the bra built in.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] This invention is a combination garment and bra for women after pregnancy that enables the wearer to conveniently and comfortably nurse her baby by unsecuring a flap on either cup and resecuring upon completion of nursing, without the necessity of dealing with various articles of clothing and putting them on and taking them off. The garment can be worn around the house or in public. The garment can also be worn during pregnancy for support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]1—Front view of the garment with flaps closed.

[0027]2—Front view of the garment with one flap open.

[0028]3—Rear view of the garment.

[0029]4—Front view of upper, bra portion of garment with flaps closed.

[0030]5—Front view of upper, bra portion of garment with one flap open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] This invention is a combination garment and bra for women after pregnancy that enables the wearer to conveniently and comfortably nurse her baby by unsecuring a flap on either cup and resecuring upon completion of nursing, without the necessity of dealing with various articles of clothing and putting them on and taking them off. The garment can be worn around the house or in public. The garment can also be worn during pregnancy for support.

[0032] Reference number 1—shows fabric straps with elastic inside, extending from above bodice to the back of bodice in various lengths depending on bust size.

[0033] Reference number 2—shows one layer of fabric stitched to form a triangular cup shape, and attached to the strap by stitching, and extending around the back to form a wide band varying by size. This piece is bordered on all outside edges by elastic stitched to the edges.

[0034] Reference number 3—shows fabric panels in two layers in an approximate triangular cup shape, the base of which is stitched in hinged fashion to the bodice band. The remaining two sides of the triangle are stitched with trim. The apex of the triangle has a small rectangular piece of VELCRO, hook and loop fastener material, which can be detached and attached by hand to a corresponding piece of VELCRO above the apex of the triangular opening on piece #2. A hook or similar double sided sticky material can be used in place of a hook and loop fastener.

[0035] Reference number 4—shows one layer of fabric stitched to the bodice band forming the body of the garment, the length of which varies by size and style.

[0036] Reference number 5—shows rectangular VELCRO hook and loop strips used for attachment. A hook or other fastening devices can be substituted at this location for VELCRO. 

1. A garment for women, such as a tank top, halter top, a blouse, a dress, a swimsuit top, etc., for breast feeding comprising an upper bra portion including left and right bra cup flaps; left and right triangular cup supports each having a shoulder strap extending from an upper apex edge of each of said left and right triangular bra cup supports; an elastic band beneath said left and right bra cup supports which join said cup supports to the bottom portion of a halter top, blouse, swimsuit top., etc., or to a skirt portion of a dress, etc.; said left and right bra cup flaps hingedly attached at a bottom edge of said triangular bra cup supports; said straps and to be formed of soft elastic material; said left and right bra cup flaps are attached to at their upper apex to said shoulder straps by a hook and loop fastener wherein complementary hook and loop fastener components are located on each said strap and said upper bra cup flap apex edge.
 2. A garment for women, such as a tank top, halter top, a blouse, a dress, a swimsuit top, etc., as claimed in claim 1 wherein said straps are constructed of soft elastic fabric and wherein said straps are reinforced by elastic bands sewn into the straps.
 3. A garment for women, such as a tank top, halter top, a blouse, a dress, a swimsuit top, etc., as claimed in claim 1 wherein said left and right bra cup flaps are formed of the same fabric as the rest of the garment.
 4. A garment for women, such as a tank top, halter top, a blouse, a dress, a swimsuit top, etc., as claimed in claim 3 wherein said hook and loop fasteners are substituted with any known fastener including any one of hooks and eyes; buttons and buttonholes; snaps and adhesive fasteners. 